Joyce Elaine Petty

Joyce Elaine Petty, 77, of rural Harrisburg, died Sunday evening at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Born in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Joyce lived several years in the Cape Girardeau, Missouri area before moving to Harrisburg in 1986. She was a retired elementary school teacher, involved primarily in Special Education.

Joyce served in the Womens Army Corp from 1959-1962. She met her future husband while both were active duty and they were married June 1, 1962. Joyce earned a Bachelors of Education degree from Central Michigan State University and a Masters of Education degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

Joyce was a Presbyterian and a master wood worker specializing in furniture-making. She enjoyed sewing, yard work and was an avid A.S.U. Red Wolves fan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Smith and Grace Foreman Smith Fisher, and by a sister, Barbara Benscooter.

Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Barney Petty of the home;

1 son and daughter-in-law: James and Sherry Petty of the home;

1 daughter and son-in-law: Jackey and Mark Randol of Austin, Texas; and

3 grandchildren: James-Michael Randol, Christina Marie Randol and Marykatherine Randol.

A graveside funeral service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 in Mitchell Cemetery near Greenway with Tim Morgan officiating with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

There will be no visitation.